Review: The Earl Next Door (The Bachelor Lords of London #1) by Charis Michaels

This is so much more than your typical historical romance read. So much more! This story made me think. As a woman in modern times, I take for granted that women didn't always have a voice. Piety's story shows me the frustrations of living in such a world. A world where a woman can't choose what to do with her own money and needs a man to decide for her. To protect her fortune from her selfish, money hungry mother and vile, abusive step-brothers, she runs from America to England, constantly waiting for them to show up at her doorstep, because sooner or later they will...and do.

Oh her strength and tenacity to accomplish things in a foreign and man's world is empowering. She's a forward thinker. And yes, I know it's fiction, but I couldn't help but feel like this...women like this are who set the precedent for our time. Our voice. Our choice.

For all that Piety has had to endure, she has remained true to who she is. She wins her neighbors over with her caring and unselfish heart. Anyone who bothers to get to know her can't resist her charms. And she IS charming and sincere. One neighbor in particular, Lord Falcondale, learns this valuable lesson.

Trevor, Lord Falcondale, is broody and determined to not have anything to do with Piety. He has plans of his own that don't involve a woman. It doesn't matter how attracted he is to her, he believes he is not fit to be anyone's anything. He has his own ghosts to deal with. He knows his past will catch up with him and is determined to stay ahead and out of reach of it. But, he doesn't run soon enough.

Between both their hunters, this book is full of non-stop action that hooked me and kept me on edge. And of course the romance was a sizzling, slow burn.

What a fantastic debut from Charis Michaels! I am very much looking forward to her next book.

American heiress Piety Grey is on the run. Suddenly in London and facing the renovation of a crumbling townhouse, she’s determined to make a new life for herself—anything is better than returning to New York City where a cruel mother and horrid betrothal await her. The last thing she needs is a dark, tempting earl inciting her at every turn…

Trevor Rheese, the Earl of Falcondale, isn’t interested in being a good neighbor. After fifteen years of familial obligation, he’s finally free. But when the disarmingly beautiful Piety bursts through his wall—and into his life—his newfound freedom is threatened…even as his curiosity is piqued.

Once Piety’s family arrives in London, Falcondale suddenly finds himself in the midst of a mock courtship to protect the seductive woman who’s turned his world upside down. It’s all for show—or at least it should be. But if Falcondale isn’t careful, he may find a very real happily ever after with the woman of his dreams…

Book Tour: The Fall Up By

I wanted to jump.

He made me fall.

As a celebrity, I lived in the public eye, but somewhere along the way, I’d lost myself in the spotlight.

Until he found me.

Sam Rivers was a gorgeous, tattooed stranger who saved my life with nothing more than a simple conversation.

But we were both standing on that bridge for a reason the night we met. The secrets of our pasts brought us together—and then tore us apart.

Could we find a reason to hold on as life constantly pulled us down?

Or maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall in love at rock bottom—up.

Maybe there’s only one direction to go when two people fall

in love at rock bottom—up.

It is an amazing thing when you can connect not only with a book, but with a character on a personal level.  I have shared some of my personal life in my reviews before and I am not ashamed that I have.  Sometimes seeing another person going through a situation can help another person.  Am I saying my reviews are life changing?  No I am not, but what I am saying is that sometimes you need that little bit of hope, that you aren’t alone, that someone can connect with you on a level that some of the people closest to you can’t. 

The Fall Up is one of the best books I have read this year.  I connected with this book because like Levee I have anxiety and depression.  Right before I started to type this review I got a phone call, I won’t say what it was about but I had been anxious all week, to the point of panic attacks and physically getting sick.  When the phone call came in it made all the anxiety intensify by one hundred and even as I write this I am fighting from letting my world, in my mind at least, just totally fall apart.  I have been where Levee was at and it is a scary place to be.  I have my own Sam, my husband who when I am down reminds me that the only way left to go is up. 

Levee and Sam heal each other.  Both are on that bridge for different reasons but they form a connection.  It is what they did with that connection that healed them both.  It wasn’t easy, hell if it was easy then I wouldn’t have loved this book like I do.  Life isn’t easy.  Life with a person with mental illness, whatever that illness may be, is harder.  It is the people like Sam who want to help and reach out that are the real heroes in life.

I understand this review was more of a personal nature and I apologize if that is something you didn’t appreciate.  This book hit home with me and I don’t know if I could do the book justice if I didn’t feel that connection and share with you why I have it.  I do want to say this.  There is no shame in asking for help, there is no shame in having anxiety or depression, and there is no shame in feeling like you r world is ending.  There is shame if people turn their backs on those silent cries for help, there is shame for those you judge others because they do not understand, and there is shame in ever not helping when someone does ask.  The Fall Up will stay in my heart not only for the connection I share but because it is beautifully written, emotional and reminds us to remember even the richest person or the funniest person could be hiding their pain from everyone.

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“Thank fuck!” Sam said, swinging the door open before Devon even had the car in park.

“Oh, this isn’t my place. We’re just dropping Devon off. I’m about twenty minutes across town?” I tossed him a sugary smile then boldly shifted my hand into his lap, purposely brushing the bulge under his denim.

Grabbing my wrist, he narrowed his eyes and called out, “Devon, I’m gonna need to borrow a bedroom.”

I burst out laughing as Devon cursed loudly.

“Fine. This is my place. No smoking inside though,” I snipped as I climbed from the SUV.

“You better have some seriously exciting extracurricular activities to keep me distracted, then.”

“I have Ping-Pong!”

“Not exactly what I was thinking.” He mischievously cocked his head. “But I guess paddles and balls are as good a start as any.” Dipping down, he hoisted me over his shoulder. “Point me to the Ping-Pong table, my lady.”

I didn’t. I laughed hysterically as he carried me inside. Then I directed him to my bedroom instead.

I heard Devon locking up the house as Sam deposited me on the bed.

“Jesus. This view.” He pushed the curtains back. “Why the hell would you ever go up to the bridge when you have this here?”

“I don’t know,” I answered, pulling my earrings off and placing them on my nightstand.

Oh, but I knew. It might not have been what had originally sent me up that bridge, but it was why my feet carried me back every night. And that very reason was currently standing in front of me with entirely too much clothing on.

“You want a beer?” I asked, sliding my shoes off.

“Nah, I’m good.” He faced me, and I could tell something was off with his demeanor. He didn’t inch any closer. Instead, his lips were tight and his eyes uncomfortably flashed around the room.

It suddenly didn’t feel like Sam standing in front of me at all.

He felt like a stranger who had just come face-to-face with Levee Williams.

Damn it.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you about to freak out?” I whispered, nervously moistening my lips.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m not really sure yet. But I’m gonna need you to stop licking your lips long enough for me to figure it out.” His mouth cracked into a wide grin, and my shoulders relaxed.

Now that was a flash of my Sam.

“Want to tell me what’s going on?” I asked.

“It’s just… I think this is the first time I’ve realized that you’re some big-time celebrity. I might be in over my head here, Designer Shoes.”

“I just make music, Sam.” I returned his smile and very slowly prowled in his direction. “Imagine how I feel though. You’re Samuel Nathan Rivers. A tough, tattooed furniture designer who makes six figures a year but is too afraid to tell his mommy he votes democratic.” I giggled as he frowned humorously. Stopping in front of him, I dragged a fingernail down his chest then teased the waistband of his jeans. “Have you considered that maybe I’m the one who’s in over her head here?” I leaned forward to nip at his lips, but he spun us around.

“Excellent point. I’m going to need you to try really hard to keep it together, Levee. You haven’t even seen my six-pack and huge cock, yet.” He smirked and attempted to return my nip, but I stepped out of his reach.

“You brought beer and chicken?” I feigned excitement.

That one corny joke was all it took to bring my Sam back completely.

With a sexy smile and a coy shrug, he seductively backed me toward the bed. “What can I say? I like to be prepared.”

“Clearly,” I breathed.

He moved in close so his lips were only a centimeter away, but for as much as I wanted him, it was agonizing. “Clearly,” he repeated, his smoky yet sweet breath breezing across my mouth.

His strong arm looped around my waist, tugging me against his chest, while I stared into his hooded eyes, eagerly waiting for him to make a move.

Any move.

Every move.

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

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Book Tour: Dirty English By Ilsa Madden-Mills

 A scarred fighter.

A girl with rules.

One night of unbridled passion.

There are three things you need to know about Elizabeth Bennett: she’s smart as a whip, always in control, and lives by a set of carefully crafted rules. She’s learned the hard way that people you love the most always hurt you in the end.

But then she meets Declan Blay, the new neighbor at her apartment complex.

A tattooed British street fighter, he’s the campus bad boy she’s supposed to avoid, but when he saves her from a frat party gone bad, all her rules about sex and love fly out the window.

She gives him one night of unbridled passion, but he longs for more.

With only a cardboard-thin wall separating their bedrooms, he dreams of possessing the vulnerable girl next door forever.

One night. Two damaged hearts. The passion of a lifetime.

Dirty English, I can say with a certainty, is one of my favorite books this year.  I hate to even admit the following two things but the first one is I didn’t read my ARC right away, I waited, and I have no good reason why I did, and the second is that until I read Dirty English I hadn’t read anything by this author before.  I plan to rectify that in the immediate future. 

Dirty English has a broken heroine who went through something that no woman should ever go through.  It has not only molded her love life but it almost took her life as well.  Elizabeth doesn’t want a relationship, but the closer she gets with Declan, the more she fights with herself over her “rules”.  Declan is one hot sexy piece of British sexiness. He’s an MMA fighter and the sexiest man on campus and he wants Elizabeth for his own.

I loved that even though the chemistry between them is explosive from the start, they don’t jump into a relationship right away.  Both have their own dramas that they are dealing with, both can push the other away, but yet they still come back together. Dirty English has angst, drama, pain, healing, love and friendship.  It is also sexy, hot and made me want to find a Brit of my own. 

I have a final confession to make.  I have never read Pride And Prejudice, but after reading Dirty English and the little glimpses throughout the book it looks like I need to check this classic out for myself.  I am not sure if this will be turned into a series or if the author plans on keeping it a standalone, but if she does do a series I can’t wait to see who would be next.  

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**Dirty English is a modern love story inspired by Pride and Prejudice**

“Come to my apartment and spend the night with me.” I touched his face, my fingers stroking the softness of his sensuous lips. “Just one night and we can make this shitty world disappear.”

He exhaled. “A one-night stand?”

“Yeah.”

He cupped my chin. “Someone hurt you, didn’t they?”

My lips tightened. No one at Whitman knew about Colby except for Shelley and Blake, and I sure as hell wasn’t telling him. He’d judge me like everyone else had in Petal, North Carolina. “That’s none of your business.”

“I see.” His eyes searched mine until I felt like a bug under a microscope. “What if I wanted more than just one night?”

“Then your hands can let go of my hips now.”

He removed his hands slowly, the tips of his fingers grazing mine. “This may surprise you, but I don’t sleep with every girl I kiss.”

I’d been rejected. Again. “Blake said you got around, that you used—”

“And you believed him?” His voice was incredulous. “Dude is in love with you and he saw exactly how we looked at each other tonight—”

“Looked at each other? What are you talking about? You refused to dance with me and then you ran off with your girlfriend. Not to mention I just kissed you and you didn’t even care.” I threw my hands up.

“I wanted to fuck you the minute you walked in that party,” he snapped.

“Then why don’t you,” I bit out, tossing back my shoulders.

“You think you want me?” he said tightly. “You can’t handle me, Elizabeth. I can see it in your eyes. You’re scared of something, maybe not me, but something.”

My eyes went to his black eye.

He let out a harsh laugh. “Ah, that’s what you’re afraid of. You want the real truth? You told me tonight you didn’t like violence, but I’m an arsehole who uses his fists. That’s who I am.”

“What do you mean?”

His gaze was intense, dark and low, his face struggling as he fought to find the right words. “I’m in a fight club for money. I show up at warehouses and fight other blokes. Sometimes I beat them so bad they need medical attention. A few times, I’ve been beat to unconsciousness. I’m everything you need to stay away from.”

I inhaled, anger and lust and excitement all riding me. Anger that he was pushing me away, lust for the alpha male in him, and God help me, the fighting thing repelled me and excited me at the same time. “I don’t want to stay away from you. I want you to fuck me and stop making excuses for why you can’t.”

My words seemed to snap his taut restraint.

He pulled me back in his arms, his lips fusing with mine unerringly. His tongue plundered me in a sensual way my body had craved for years. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my anger morphing into all-out desire as he turned us and pressed me against the wall.

Yes, yes, this is what I craved.

A passion to remind me that I was real, not just some sad excuse of a girl who chose to exist on scraps of love.

Before I knew it, he’d shoved my robe off, his hands sculpting my shoulders, massaging them as he ravaged my mouth. I reveled in the warmth of his hand on my neck as his mouth skated down, kissing the hollows of my throat, sucking on my collarbone.

“Like this?” he asked, his voice dark and gravelly. “You want me to take you up against this wall?”

“Yes,” I moaned. Gone. Past caring as long as he kept his hands on me.

Out of control, my brain whispered, but I beat back the dark warnings as his warm hand found my breast and squeezed, his fingers rolling my nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

I gasped in pleasure and arched my back to get closer to his body, ignoring the fear that pricked at the surface.

The rules girl in my head stamped her foot and yelled at me. I ignored her.

But even if I wanted to stop right now, I couldn’t. My tongue tangled wildly with his, my hands pulled at his hair, spurring him on, his hand palming my breast and then tugging. Sharp sensations of need went straight to my core.

“Is this what you want? Something quick where we just take what we want and forget each other the next day?”

No. Not that. Not like the way he said it, like it was something dirty.

“Yes, like that,” I whispered against his shoulder, my mouth on his skin, tasting him as my teeth bit down.

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap.

She's addicted to all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding heroes in books. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she's a Gemini), Sephora make-up, and tattoos.

She has a degree in English and a Master's in Education.

When she's not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets, paints old furniture, and eats her weight in sushi.

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Ilsa Madden-Mills’ other books:

VERY BAD THINGS

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VERY WICKED BEGINNINGS

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VERY WICKED THINGS

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VERY TWISTED THINGS

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Book Tour: Until Jax By Aurora Rose Reynolds

Ellie Anthony isn’t looking for love. She isn’t even looking for a man, but when Jax Mayson insists on keeping her and her daughter safe, she’s left with no choice but to trust him. Now she just hopes she doesn’t get hurt when she falls hard for a guy who’s known for breaking hearts.

Jax Mayson knows that Ellie is his BOOM the moment he sees her. When he finds out she has a daughter, he realizes he wants a family, and he will do whatever is necessary to keep both of his girls safe, even if that means facing the demons from his past.

O.M.G.! I absolutely LOVED Until Jax!  I love the Boom!  If you don’t know what this is, first of all are you living in a cave?  Okay if you don’t know what the Boom! is read the Until series then read Until Jax because you will understand why I love it so much. 

Until Jax is everything that we have come to love from any of the Until series books.  Sexy alpha males, sassy females, drama, action, sex, oh baby the sex, love, humor and oh so much more.  With every book that Ms. Reynolds writes about this family I love them more and more.  I am not even going to lie, I screamed like I just won the lottery when I saw the arc hit my kindle.  What can I say, I was just a tad bit excited. 

Jax.  I need Jax in my life.  He is sweet, protective, funny, sexy, loving, basically everything an alpha male should be.  When he first meets Ellie in Until July, he knows that she is his Boom.  The men just know and once they know there is no stopping them from winning over the other parts of their heart and soul.  I love how he immediately was not just protective of Ellie but of her daughter as well.  That right there is what a true man is.  He opens his heart and life even to children who may not be his but will be soon.  I do feel for him, when something happens, something that had me tearing up, it will make you want to make things right with people in your life that you may not be getting along with.

Ellie is sweet and from the start I loved her character.  She has her own secrets but once she feels that she can trust Jax she opens up to him and allows him into her heart and her daughter’s.  She was the perfect Boom for Jax.  Even with everything she had been through she stayed strong when most would crack like a broken egg. 

I honestly cannot get enough from this author or these Until series.  I am anxiously awaiting the next book.  I love how this series shows that love can happen at first site, may it be a Boom or fate, that when you find that other part of your heart that you should never give up until they are yours.

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“Thank you again for taking me.” Pulling my eyes from the road for a brief moment, I look at Ellie. Her head is resting against the window, her legs pulled up onto the seat, tucked near her ass, and her arms are wrapped tight around them. One thing I’ve noticed about her over the last few hours is she’s always wrapping her arms around herself or tucking her body into a tight ball. It’s like she’s forcing herself to stay together.

“I told you I got you, baby,” I say gently, wanting more than anything to take her hand in mine, but every time I touch her, she freezes up like she’s waiting for me to strike out at her, and I would be lying if I said that didn’t piss me the fuck off. It does; it feels like a slap in the face every time it happens.

“I know,” she whispers, and the tears I hear in her voice cause a sharp pain in my chest.

Fuck.

“This is the turnoff.” Her feet go to the floorboard and her hands to the dash as she sits up taller, moving her face closer to the windshield. We drive up a long dirt driveway with forest and the occasional broken down car on each side. When we make it to the top of the hill, a singlewide trailer comes into view, with junk cars and garbage piled up out front.

As soon as I come to a stop, she opens her door and hops out before I can tell her to keep her little ass in the cab. I don’t even know how I’m going to deal with the range of emotions that have settled over me since seeing her for the first time.

“Fucking Boom,” I mutter, getting out behind her and doubling my steps until I’m able to reach her side, where I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her closer to me. She’s so fucking tiny that the top of her dark head sits right at my chest. So fragile, from her too soft skin to her petite size. And she’s mine.

 Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and admires it's beauty.

Website: http://aurorarosereynolds.com/

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